Mexico Business Blog

Considerations on trade, business, politics and life in Mexico

Posts Tagged aerospace

Recent and upcoming investment

Jul 13

Posted by Tom in Economy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

  • Water treatment:  Mexican sugar producer Grupo Azucarero México (GAM) revealed it will begin construction next month on a new waste water treatment plant.  GAM has invested US$35 million over the past four years in automation process technology, as well as a system for generating electricity through steam produced by burning cane bagasse.
  • Logistics: Guanajuato’s Guanajuato Interior Port multimodal logistics center will enter a new phase of expansion in the coming months.  Approximately US$55 million in new investment will be carried out to expand existing infrastructure at the site, which includes Customs facilities, a free zone, ground and air cargo handling services, industrial yards and related operations.
  • Automotive: German engine components maker Getrag Transmissions Manufacturing inaugurated a new production plant in the central city of Guanajuato.  The US$500 million facility will manufacture transmissions for the Ford Fiesta line being built at Ford’s Cuautitlan Izcalli plant outside Mexico City.
  • Manufacturing: French digital media manufacturer Technicolor will begin making 3D Blu-ray discs for Warner Brothers at its Guadalajara plant this year.  The company is investing US$11.4 million in the plant to boost production capacity.
  • Green building: Mexican developer Homex announced plans to develop four new housing complexes in north western Mexico based on the concept of Integrated Sustainable Urban Developments.  The first of these complexes will require investment of US$27 million and all will incorporate green building technologies.     Read the rest of this entry »

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Aerospace meetings set for Guadalajara

May 28

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

GdlaMexico’s aerospace industry continues to grow aggressively (see our past post on the Tijuana aerospace forum at http://bdp-americas.com/blog/2010/02/aerospace-supplier-forum-set-for-tijuana), and this Fall the sector will achieve another milestone:  Guadalajara will host the first event organized in this country by BCI Aerospace.  The French firm specialized in global promotional events for the aerospace and defense industries will host “Aerospace Meetings Guadalajara” October 4 – 8 at Expo Guadalajara.  The event provides a forum for aircraft manufacturers and potential suppliers to engage in one-on-one meetings, in addition to attending conferences, workshops and tours of Mexican manufacturing facilities.  According to BCI’s brochure, Aerospace Meetings Guadalajara will feature participation by 100 Mexican companies and 150 foreign firms representing a total of 20 countries.  For complete details, the event brochure is available here: www.bciaerospace.com/mexico

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Recent and upcoming investment

Apr 7

Posted by Tom in Economy, Investment, Manufacturing | 1 Comment

Reports on some recent and upcoming investment collected from the local business media:

  • Steel:  Mexico’s steel manufacturing industry chamber of commerce Canacero projected investments of US$10 billion over the next five years to significantly boost production in the sector.  Canacero estimates production will increase 13.5% this year over 2009, when output dropped significantly.
  • Airports: The Mexican Ministry of Transport (SCT) announced plans for three new airports to be constructed in 2010, with investment of US$36 million.  The local airport developments are planned for La Pesca in the northeast and the tourist sites Creel in the north and Palenque in the south.
  • Transport: Inter-city bus operator Grupo IAMSA reported it plans to add 300 new luxury buses to its fleet this year.  The US$100 million investment is slated to go primarily to Volvo for the new buses.
  • Aerospace: French aerospace manufacturer Grupo Safran inaugurated two new plants in an aerospace park in the central state of Queretaro, site one of Mexico’s leading aerospace clusters.  The approximately US$150 million investment set up plants for Safran’s affiliates Messier-Dowty and Snecma to produce jet engine parts and undercarriages.
  • Solar power: BP Solar, the solar technology subsidiary of Great Britain-based energy giant BP, announced plans to subcontract the assembly of solar modules with Jabil Circuit in Chihuahua, northern Mexico.  Plans call for producing modules with a combined capacity of 45 MW, with the possibility for expansion as demand dictates. Read the rest of this entry »

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Aerospace supplier forum set for Tijuana

Feb 10

Posted by Tom in Manufacturing | No Comments

airplane_cartoonWhile many industries are struggling in the current down economy, aerospace continues to post robust results in Mexico.  Aerospace manufacturing and support services in the country have grown from a relatively minor industry in the 1990s to become one of the world’s leaders by 2010.  Particularly in recent years, as the momentum of clusters grew, the industry has exploded from about 60 companies in 2004 to over 200 currently.   Export sales are projected at US$3.4 billion for 2009, and are expected to exceed US$4 billion in 2010.

Tijuana, the center of one of Mexico’s aerospace clusters, will host a forum in March to bring together aircraft manufacturers and suppliers of the parts and components they need.  The event will feature a conference series as well as one-on-one matchmaking meetings.  Full information and registration can be found here:

http://www.sedeti.tijuana.gob.mx/aerospace_2010.asp

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Recent and upcoming investment

Dec 2

Posted by Tom in Economy, Investment, Manufacturing | No Comments

Some investment and other economic activity reported in local media over the past month:

  • Logistics:  Argentina-based logistics company Axis Logistica announced plans to build a new distribution center in Mexico in 2010, in anticipation of economic recovery.  The company entered the Mexican market in 2007 and has invested US$10 million since that time in construction and upgrades of its distribution infrastructure in the country.
  • Aviation: Private air transport for executives is a growth industry in Mexico, with positive growth projected for 2009.  The sector is led by Aerolineas Ejecutivas (ALE), which is projecting 12% growth for the year.  The company invested approximately US$35 million in a new terminal at Monterrey’s international airport this year.
  • Aerospace: Mexico’s aerospace industry continues to post impressive growth despite the worldwide economic slowdown.  The number of companies in aerospace manufacturing, maintenance and related support services in Mexico has grown from 61 to 194 over the past four years, with export sales projected at US$3.4 billion for 2009.
  • Automotive: Ford Motor Company inaugurated a new engine manufacturing plant in the northern city of Chihuahua, in the state of the same name.  Ford invested a reported US$838 million in the new plant, which will produce diesel motors for pickup trucks.
  • Laboratory: Coca-Cola de México launched operations at a new testing laboratory in Mexico City.  The US$8 million facility includes state-of-the-art technology and will be used to verify the safety of ingredients, materials and finished products.
  • Solar power: The State of Durango announced it is preparing to develop a major industrial park to produce solar power equipment and generate solar electricity.  The complex, to begin construction in 2010, is planned to house 20 solar technology companies.  Durango reportedly recently signed a cooperation agreement with a German solar power research institute.
  • Airports: Tourist resort developer Grupo Vidanta inaugurated a new international airport in the northwestern location of Puerto Peñasco.  Vidanta, which operates resorts in the area, invested US$40 million in the project, which was also supported by the Sonora state and federal governments.  In the future the developer seeks to construct a new highway linking Puerto Peñasco with the U.S. border.
  • Processed foods:  Swiss processed foods giant Nestle announced plans for major investment in Mexico manufacturing operations for 2010.  The program includes a US$15 million plant in the south eastern state of Chiapas to produce Coffee-Mate, and a US$100 million expansion of the company’s coffee processing plant at Toluca, near Mexico City.
  • Aerospace: Canadian aerospace manufacturer Bombardier initiated construction of a new plant – the company’s third – at the Queretaro Aerospace Park in the central state of Queretaro.  Bombardier has plans to invest US$250 million in the plant to produce fuselages, wings and electrical harnesses for Learjets.
  • Retail: Grocery and general merchandize retailer Soriana announced 2010 investment plans to the tune of US$300 million for store upgrades and new store openings.  The company is looking to focus on growth once again following a period of reorganization in the wake of its buyout of 198 stores from former rival Gigante in 2007.  Soriana, with 470 stores, is Mexico’s second largest grocery chain after Wal-Mart.
  • Metal tubing: Multinational metal products giant Luvata inaugurated a new production plant in the north eastern state of Nuevo Leon.  The US$40 million facility will produce copper tubes, coils and coolers for heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration applications.  The complex includes its own water treatment plant.
  • Automotive: Luxury automaker BMW announced plans to source US$2 billion worth of auto parts from Mexican manufacturers over the coming two years, in anticipation of a rebound in sales.  The increase in sourcing from Mexico is intended to hedge the cost of parts currently purchased in Euros.
  • Solar power: Japanese energy technology manufacturer Sanyo Electric Co. inaugurated a new production plant in the north eastern industrial city of Monterrey.  The US$15 million plant will assemble high-efficiency solar modules for the North American market.

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Aero Expo to showcase Mexico’s aviation, aerospace industries

Nov 4

Posted by Tom in Investment, Manufacturing, Uncategorized | No Comments

aeroexpoMexico’s aerospace industry has posted astounding growth in recent years, turning the country into a key global aerospace manufacturer in the process.  Mexico has been the world’s number one destination for aerospace manufacturing investment over the past two decades, with over US$1 billion in 2008 alone, according to the recent report Aerospace Globalization 2.0: The Next Stage, by industry consultants AeroStrategy.  The country’s aviation industry has flown through quite a bit of turbulence (sorry) over the same period, but nonetheless represents an important market for products and services, between the commercial airlines, private air transport service providers and law enforcement and military fleets.  The biennial Aero Expo coming up December 3-5 offers a great opportunity to meet the key players in NAFTA-region aerospace and aviation.  Um, in Acapulco.

For information on the expo: www.aeroexpo.com.mx

Check out AeroStrategy’s report at their site: www.aerostrategy.com

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